As you have noticed in the prior two exercises, some adjective clauses are marked off from the sentence with commas while other adjective clauses are not. Writers should mark off an adjective clause with commas if the adjective clause is just added information and is not really needed in the sentence.

Example:

Consider the following: 1) "Students who are receiving 'F' grades shall fail." The underlined adjective clause is not marked off with commas because the sentence would not make sense without it. The clause tells us which students "shall fail." 2) "Students at our school, which is the best school, are going to graduate." The underlined adjective clause is marked off with commas because the clause is just added information and is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence. Thus the independent clause, "Students at our school ... are going to graduate," has full meaning without the clause.

Directions:

Below are listed complex sentences with adjective clauses underlined. Below each sentence, click to select whether the clause should be marked off by commas or have no commas.

1.

Our team captain who is my best friend will be pitching.(mark off with commas) (no commas)

2.

The school that is on Main street was damaged in the January earthquake.(mark off with commas) (no commas)

3.

Ms. Jones who is my English teacher is being nominated for teacher of the year.(mark off with commas) (no commas)

4.

The chairperson whom we just elected last meeting has resigned the position.(mark off with commas) (no commas)

5.

The President of the United States whom I met last month will visit California.(mark off with commas) (no commas)

6.

The rock group that plays classical rock music will play at the benefit concert tonight.(mark off with commas) (no commas)